Stray vs Feral Cats
Stray
- May approach people
- May look dirty/disheveled/ragged coat
- May meow, purr, or beg towards people
- Can be touched or held
- May have an ear tattoo
- Might have a microchip (vet or shelter can scan for one)
Feral
- Will run and hide from people
- May appear clean or well groomed
- Will not be vocal around people
- Likely part of a cat colony
- Likely have an ear-tip, which means they’ve been trapped, neutered, and returned to the colony
- Might be feeder-friendly*
“In the world of Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR), we run into cats that seem adoptable.
They rub against your legs, meow at feeding time, and hang close while you’re filling bowls.
But as soon as the food is gone or a stranger shows up, they’re gone too.
These are what we call feeder-friendly cats, and it’s important to understand the difference.
A feeder-friendly cat isn’t tame.
They’ve learned to associate a specific person with food. They may appear affectionate or vocal, but only in the narrow context of feeding time.
Outside of that moment, they often remain skittish, hands-off, and would suffer in a confined or indoor setting.
As Neighborhood Cats explains:
“Cats can act social to a feeder, but still be semi-feral. They come close for food, but won’t tolerate being touched or confined. This isn’t trust…it’s conditioned behavior.”
And Alley Cat Allies reminds us:
“Behavior at feeding time alone is not a reliable indicator of adoptability.”
That is why Trap-Neuter-Return is so important. These cats don’t need to be “rescued” in the traditional sense…they need to be fixed, vaccinated, and returned to the only home they know.
🚫 Feeder-friendly ≠ Pet
🚫 Feeder-friendly ≠ Safe for adoption
✅ Feeder-friendly = Good candidate for TNR and continued outdoor care
So if a cat seems sweet at supper, pause before assuming it’s ready for adoption.
Food can bring them close, but freedom keeps them safe.”
Sources:
Neighborhood Cats (2021) Socialization Levels in Community Cats, neighborhoodcats.org
Alley Cat Allies (2022) Understanding Feral Cat Behavior, alleycat.org